Gov Ball 2024: Do’s & Don’ts
By Angelica Ruiz
It’s that magical time of year again — festival season — when we have the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the live performances of our favorite artists and create memories that will last a lifetime. Among the vibrant cities that host these extraordinary music festivals, there’s none other than the iconic New York City, home to the legendary Governors Ball.
The Governors Ball, or Gov Ball, is not just another music festival. It’s a unique, annual multi-day music, art, and culture celebration that stands out for its vibrant atmosphere. It is filled with the energy and excitement of thousands of music lovers and a diverse crowd of festival-goers from around the world, creating a truly global community of music enthusiasts. The festival, launched in 2011 on Governors Island, has since found its home in the iconic Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.
Are you ready to dive into this iconic event? Here are a few things I learned from my first Gov Ball to help you:
DO: Devise a Lineup Strategy
The Gov Ball boasted an incredible lineup this year, featuring a diverse range of artists from various genres such as reggaeton, pop, indie, corridos, R&B, and rap. With such a rich musical offering, it’s easy to get lost in the music maze. That’s why it’s crucial to make a list of the artists you’re most excited to see and plan your schedule accordingly. Take note of the stage locations, artist performance times, and where you want to position yourself in the crowd. If your all-time favorite artist is performing and you want a front-row spot, consider camping out to secure the best view!
DON’T: Overdo it
I understand it’s really easy to get caught up in seeing all your favorite artists and want to continue having fun, but you should pace yourself. You don’t want to crash and burn early on in the day. Allow time to chill, explore the activity installations, or indulge in delicious food stand treats.
DO: Dress Accordingly
We all know that music festivals are the time to show off your best outfit. They’re the perfect place to explore new fabrics and colors and, overall, an excuse to wear something you normally wouldn’t wear. But remember, comfort is crucial during a festival! You’re going to be walking a lot and standing for long periods. Make sure to rock comfy shoes because blistered feet are not a good look.
DON’T: Stick to Your Comfort Zone
While it might be easy to gravitate towards things we are comfortable with, festivals are not the place to do that! This is the perfect place to embark on a thrilling journey of new experiences and discover new activities and artists that might ignite a new passion within you.
DO: Make Friends
I am the last person to tell you to put yourself out there, but festivals are the ideal place to foster new connections! Embrace the spirit of the festival and find yourself engaging in conversations with fellow music lovers, sharing your excitement about the artists performing and helping each other navigate the festival grounds.
DON’T: Forget the Essentials
Pack light and be wise! Bring a portable charger, a small bag, ID, cash, and any necessary meds. While Gov Ball did provide guests with bathroom, medical, and charging stations, it’s always best to take your own supplies in case of any emergency. Being prepared ensures you can confidently focus on having fun rather than fretting over forgotten items.
My Gov Ball Experience
The tips and tricks I listed above made my experience at Gov Ball incredibly memorable. I closely followed Gov Ball’s social media to see the artists performing the day I was attending and planned my arrival accordingly. While I wish I could’ve gone the entire weekend, I attended Sunday’s lineup as my favorite artists were there that day. I made it my mission to see Chapelle Roan, Peso Pluma, and SZA. I was beyond excited to sing my heart out!
As a first-time Gov Ball attendee, I seriously thought I had to arrive at the crack of dawn to ensure I wasn’t waiting in the security line for too long. Luckily, my friend talked some sense into me and convinced me that we didn’t have to arrive that early as we literally live down the block. While the first artist goes on at noon, I didn’t arrive until 2:30 PM. The walk to the designated area was straightforward as Gov Ball posted signs guiding guests directly to the location. The wait in line was practically non-existent, as there were multiple lanes to get through the security checkpoint. Before I knew it, I was walking through the festival grounds.
While waiting for our artists to perform, we joined in on the fun in the surrounding stands that Gov Ball promoted, such as “The House of Dunkin,” “The R-cade,” a Sharpie Poster stand, and more. Dunkin Donuts’ huge stand provided guests with free munchkins and multiple flavors of their iced coffee. The line here was long but went fast as people moved in and out. Inside was a little photo booth where you could take a small quiz to determine your “Dunkin Aura.” Next, we moved on to the Rakuten Arcade to win claw machine prizes. My absolute favorite activity, however, was creating posters to wave in the air during performances. These were fun little experiences to dip our toes into what Gov Ball had to offer while waiting for artists.
Now, getting into the musical experience: Chappell Roan. Chapell has made incredible waves recently with her song “HOT TO GO!” which is well-deserved fame. Her performance was a wonderful experience to be a part of, as people were screaming and dancing to all of her lyrics. Chapell took this opportunity to spread awareness and positivity on LGBTQIA+ activism. Her entire set was filled with energy and enthusiasm. She truly was an incredible watch!
For me, the artist of the night had to be Peso Pluma. I had been waiting all day for his set and was determined to get as close to the stage as possible. To ensure this happened, I arrived at his stage earlier and caught a glimpse of Don Toliver’s set. I’m not much of a rap/hip-hop girl, so I didn’t know many of Don Toliver’s songs. But I will say that the energy he brought out was fantastic. Personally, my favorite part was when I caught a glimpse of Kali Uchis waving to the crowd.
Since I arrived early to Peso Pluma’s stage, I was able to get close to it. While I wasn’t right at the barricade, I still had an incredible view. Everyone’s energy filled the atmosphere before Peso Pluma even got on stage. You could feel the anticipation growing as it was getting closer to showtime. The crowd was chanting, ready to give Peso Pluma a warm New York City welcome. Finally, it was time. Peso Pluma emerged from the stage surrounded by his band, immediately hyping the crowd. The energy he brought out was incomparable. Peso Pluma played his biggest hits, and you could hear the entire crowd singing back to him in unison. You could just tell Peso Pluma was enjoying himself so much that he managed to fracture his ankle. He incredibly managed to continue with the show, jumping up and continuing his energy the entire time. He truly was an extraordinary performer who paid homage to Mexico and Mexican culture.
The incredibly talented SZA was the last artist of the night. She went on directly after Peso Pluma at the neighboring stage. I stayed in the back of the crowd as I was still taking in the previous performance. SZA played her hits off her most recent album, SOS. The vocals she brought out that night were beyond amazing. I wouldn’t have thought she was actually singing if I wasn’t there watching. My only critique is the lack of interaction with the crowd. SZA had the longest set time, an hour and a half, and barely spoke to the crowd. She sang songs back-to-back with little talking in between. Overall, she put on a great show with incredible production.
And just like that, my whirlwind day at Gov Ball came to a close, leaving me buzzing with excitement and already dreaming about next year’s lineup. From the electrifying performances of Chappell Roan and Peso Pluma to the soul-stirring serenades of SZA, my Gov Ball adventure was a non-stop thrill ride. I laughed, I danced, and I definitely sang my heart out. So, here’s to the unforgettable moments. Until next time, Gov Ball — thanks for the music, the memories, and the madness!
